In harmony with nature: Heroes from The Green Awards 2023

The Drinks Business Green Awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate those in the industry that are pioneering sustainable ways of doing business. We reveal this year’s deserving winners here.

Given that we so often view the world through blemish-erasing social media filters, it felt poignant to hear one of our judges declare that drinks companies today “must be prepared to look at the ugly side of their business, not just the beautiful one”.

Should they do so, companies stand a very good chance of being shortlisted for one of our annual Green Awards.

Now in their 13th year, and still the only set of industry gongs dedicated to green-minded drinks companies, the awards recognise those businesses going above and beyond to lessen their impact on our planet.

Diving headfirst into compost or taking stock of bottle weight might not sound like the most glamorous side of the drinks trade, but there is more to success and longevity in this business than popping Champagne corks. Plus, nurturing these less “beautiful” parts of the industry can help ensure that corks (and Champagne, for that matter) are still around for many years to come.

A willingness to stare unflinchingly at every nook and cranny of their business is what drew members of the drinks trade to The Ivy Club in London to attend the ceremony for the Green Awards 2022. On a frosty December afternoon, we raised a glass of fizz, and the odd tempura prawn, to this year ’s deserving winners.

The ceremony was the culmination of a months-long process, with entrants having been put under the microscope by a panel of industry experts, from fellow drinks producers and public relations gurus to design and packaging experts, all chaired by senior staff from the drinks business. From the world’s first carbon neutral sake to delivery vehicles powered by vegetable oil, this year ’s submissions did not disappoint.

In fact, the quality of entries this year was so strong that the judges felt compelled to create a few new categories to dive even further into green waters. Here at the drinks business we are thrilled to see our Green Awards continue to evolve, and would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all the brands and people shortlisted this year, and especially to our winners.

As ever, we are grateful for the support of our partners Amorim, Pol Roger Portfolio, VinLog, and Ty Nant Welsh Mineral Water.

Now, without further ado, read on for the full list of brilliant winners from The Drinks Business Green Awards 2022.

Hammer & Son

THE AMORIM SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FOR SPIRITS

Winner: Hammer & Son

Proving that you don’t have to be a large operator to invest big in being green, this small Danish distillery is a benchmark for sustainable distilling. Hammer & Son has left no stone unturned, from its organic botanicals to solar energy, along with lightweight packaging and biodiverse property. The company harvests its grains and botanicals from the grounds around the distillery, and uses only water from its own artesian well. Meanwhile, all of its produce is organically grown, and green energy is being used throughout the process. The judges were particularly impressed by its move last year to solar power, as well as its work in the local community. “They have thought of everything,”said one judge.

Commendation: Mezcal Amaras

The judges decided to give a commendation to this artisanal Mexican producer for crafting the world’s first carbon-neutral mezcal. The company’s focus is the constant search for a balanced relationship with its ecosystem, and not only is the product carbon neutral, up to 20% of the net sales from each bottle goes towards the development of social and environmental initiatives.

Shortlist:

Bodegas Luzon

Domaine Bousquet

Hammer & Son

Mezcal Amaras

Sustainable Wines of Great Britain

UPM Raflatac

Villa Sandi

Viña Cono Sur

THE AMORIM SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FOR A WINE

Winner: Viña Cono Sur

This year ’s winner is a business that is a beacon for environmentally friendly wine production. From its weed-controlling geese to its solar-powered operations, this company is green to its core. Our judges said: “It was very hard to fault Cono Sur ’s green credentials. It is always trialling new ways to bring down its impact on its surroundings.” Moving rapidly towards being 100% organic, and having been carbon neutral since 2007, notable developments in the last year include the installation of solar panels on its winery, and a wholesale move to electric machinery on the estate, as well as reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill to just 0.4% of the total.

Commendation: Domaine Bousquet

The judges wanted to award this Argentine wine producer for gaining Regenerative Organic Certified status in July 2022 – one of just four wineries worldwide to achieve this accolade.

Commendation: UPM Raflatac

The judges also wanted to commend a partnership between UPM Raflatac, The Park and Reflex Labels, which has managed to recycle a massive 93 tonnes of plastic liner since 2021.

Concha y Toro

THE AMORIM BIODIVERSITY AWARD

Winner: Concha y Toro

Our judges were quick to applaud the “leadership role” in biodiversity being taken by Concha y Toro, one of the world’s largest wine businesses. Applying scientific principles on a large scale to advance species richness above and below the ground, this Chilean company has embarked on a set of commendable projects, from its Agricultural Ecosystem Management (GEA) to managing vineyards, to the implementation of floral corridors as part of its Operation Pollinator. The group also maintains 4,272 hectares of protected native forest in Chile, with nurseries to propogate native trees. “Concha y Toro is a brilliant example of what a sizeable company can achieve. No matter how you measure it, this business is having the most positive impact on biodiversity,” said one judge.

Commendation: Terrazas de los Andes

Having reinstated native vegetation and wildlife corridors in the mountains surrounding Mendoza, this Argentine producer grabbed the judges’ attention for its aim to boost biodiversity down to the microbiological level.

Commendation: Château La Lagune

This Bordeaux property mixes biodynamic viticulture with hedge planting, biological corridors and wetlands. The judges felt that the estate’s desire to benefit species richness, trap carbon and help employee health were all highly laudable.

Shortlist:

Bodegas Argento

Château Galoupet

Château La Lagune

Concha y Toro

Symington Family Estates

Terrazas de los Andes

Moët Hennessy

THE AMORIM SPECIAL AWARD

Winner: Moët Hennessy for World Living Soils forum

This award went to a major luxury drinks producer for advancing the role of soil health for sustainable fine wine production by organising a remarkable two-day event in June 2022. “The crucial connection with soil health is a fundamental aspect of sustainability, and Moët Hennessy showed its leadership with its World Living Soils Forum event,” said one judge. “The presence of the senior management of Moët Hennessy and its different maisons, the speakers invited and the general holistic approach to such an important subject, clearly created a ‘before and after ’ moment in the understanding of soil health in the wine and spirits industries.”

Bonterra Organic Estates

GREEN COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Bonterra Organic Estates

Our judges were unanimous in their decision to award Bonterra, formerly known as Fetzer Vineyards, the ultimate accolade of Green Company of the Year, calling it “an unbelievably green company”. They were blown away by the winery’s whopping B-Corp recertification score of 130, with one judge adding: “Bonterra is producing climate-neutral wine now. Not in 2030, not in 2050, but right now.” The panel felt that Bonterra is putting itself “at the top of the ‘green’ tree”, and that the Californian producer continues to set the standard for the wider industry. “As the largest winery in the world to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification, it is clearly doing much, much more than other companies,” said one judge, who was particularly impressed by the scale of the company’s green operations.

Commendation: Ridgeview Wine Estate

The judges felt there was “an air of joyfulness” about this entry, and were impressed not only by this English winery’s newly gained B-Corp certification, which it achieved in August 2022, but by all the work it is doing around the edges. For example, in sensitively approaching the construction of its new restaurant by working with natural, local resources and providing mental health first-aiders for staff.

Shortlist:

Avignonesi

Bonterra Organic Estates

EWGA Wines

Gonzalez Byass

Hammer & Son

Ridgeview Wine Estate

Château Galoupet

BEST GREEN LAUNCH OF THE YEAR

Winner: Château Galoupet

The entry from this Provence wine producer “stood head and shoulders above the rest”, said our judges, due to the fact that Galoupet had taken “a huge gamble” in launching two atypical rosé bottles; one flat and plastic; the other made from dark-amber glass. The panel felt that this bold move could be the start of “wide-ranging change” for the industry. One judge said: “The key thing is that they haven’t sold it cheap. This is a £23 premium rosé in a flat plastic bottle, which goes completely against the grain for this sector.” It was also suggested that these gamechanging packaging formats could cause a shift in the buying decisions of consumers, who often buy rosé based on its colour rather than its taste:”It may encourage them to engage in a different way,” said one judge.

Commendation: Kobe Shushinkan Brewery

The judges wanted to commend this Japanese brewery for launching the world’s first carbon-neutral sake, and for its long-term vision for a new product that is “truly green” in a market which does not always put sustainability first.

Shortlist:

Château Galoupet

Kobe Shushinkan Brewery

Spier Wine Farm

THE ETHICAL AWARD

Winner: Spier Wine Farm

After a torrid time for South African wine producers, which saw four domestic booze bans in 12 months, our judges were full of admiration for the “direct impact Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch has on the community.” The panel loved the fact that Spier had “gone down the ethical rabbit hole”, and acknowledged that while the winery does not always grow its own grapes, and, indeed, buys some in, “for the hand that they are playing, they are playing it as ethically as they possibly can in terms of ethical sourcing”.

Commendation: Journey’s End Vineyards

Although this South African winery was the winner of the Ethical Award in 2021, the judges felt it deserved recognition again for its “continued excellence” in the field. “The company obviously doesn’t stand still, and is always looking for new opportunities to help those who live and work in and around the winery,” said one judge, who was in awe that Journey’s End manages to produce 35,000 meals per week for those who need them.

Shortlist:

Champagne Telmont

Journey’s End Vineyards

Kendall-Jackson Winery

Spier Wine Farm

Terrazas de los Andes

Château Galoupet

THE VINLOG GREEN PACKAGING AWARD

Winner: Château Galoupet

The judges praised the courage of this Provence producer for bucking the trend and launching not just one rosé but two in unusual formats for the category; one in an amber-glass bottle and the other in a flat PET bottle. The panel felt Galoupet could potentially start a trend for other rosé producers to follow.

Commmendation: Terrazas de los Andes

After extensive discussions about the importance of bottle weight, our panel wanted to commend this Argentine producer for packaging its wine in the lightest bottle of all our entries this year – weighing in at just 385g. The judges were also impressed by the scale at which this has been rolled out, with 1 million bottles having been produced.

Shortlist:

Champagne Telmont

Château Galoupet

Greenall’s

Terrazas de los Andes

Wise Wolf by Banrock

Terrazas de los Andes

Hammer & Son

BEST ORGANIC INITIATIVE

Winner: Hammer & Son

The judges called the organic achievements of this Danish distillery “astonishing” and “well-considered”, and felt that an organic approach was “clearly in its DNA”. From becoming selfsufficient in water and energy in just three years since launching, to creating organic merchandise including T-shirts and tasting cups, the panel felt this was a “stand-out entry” from a company that has thought about organics “from every conceivable angle”.

Commendation: Bodega Argento

Judges were full of admiration for this producer ’s “exemplary” research programme, which goes above and beyond to investigate the flower species best suited to planting between rows in the vineyard. They said that the body of work, which goes “far beyond vineyards and vineyard management” will be “of great benefit, not just to Bodega Argento but to other wineries around the world.”

Shortlist:

Bodega Argento

Hammer & Son

Santa Margherita

Waitrose & Partners

the company’s distillery

Kobe Shushinkan Brewery

RENEWABLE ENERGY AWARD

Winner: Kobe Shushinkan Brewery

The judges were impressed by this greenminded sake producer that has switched to 100%-renewable energy this year. Not only does the sake achieve net-zero carbon emissions during the brewing process, but it also reduces its environmental impact due to its shortened brewing process and paperless label. One judge said: “It’s commendable that it has embraced renewable energy sources, particularly hydro-electric power, for its production.“

Shortlist:

Bodem Bodegas

Kobe Shushinkan Brewery

EV Cargo Partners/AB InBev

BEST LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN GREEN INITIATIVE

Winner: EV Cargo Partners in partnership with AB InBev

One company stood out for swapping diesel in its delivery vehicles for vegetable oil, achieving an immediate 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on many of its routes.

Commendation: Château Maris

Our judges wanted to commend this carbon-negative winery for launching its first 100%-solar-powered sailboat voyage to the US. Three such journeys have now taken place, and members of the panel said they were looking forward to seeing how the brand scales up this operation in the coming years.

Terrazas de los Andes

THE WATER MANAGEMENT AWARD

Winner: Terrazas de los Andes

This year, one wine producer wowed for adopting precision irrigation across its entire estate early in 2022, saving more than four million cubic metres of water on an annual basis. Located in a desert climate, managing water judiciously is key to the production of its wine, but Terrazas de los Andes has taken it to new levels, making it a leader in water-saving technology. The producer has been able to use 63% less water compared with flood irrigation – the technique used by 80% of producers in Mendoza; a commendable development that draws attention to the wasteful approach of other producers. “Let’s hope others follow in its footsteps,” commented our judges.

GREEN PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Hervé Birnie-Scott

This year, our judges were thrilled to recognise the “super-impressive” work of one man; a self-appointed “guardian of mountain life.” Through Terrazas de los Andes, estate director Birnie-Scott has launched a scheme to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the mountains surrounding Mendoza, Argentina. The panel said that “inspirational” Birnie-Scott “clearly leads from the front”, and went on to applaud him for “adding to the local area, not taking from it.”

Speaking to the drinks business, Birnie-Scott said: “It is incredibly gratifying to receive the prize of the Green Personality of the year in the name of every member of Terrazas de los Andes, who works every day to protect this magic at the top of the world. So this is really a team victory, recognising decades of strong convictions and bold actions to protect our fragile Andean ecosystem.

“Here in Mendoza, maybe more so than elsewhere, there’s an urgency to change our viticultural and winemaking practices now, to find new solutions and to be audacious and creative to preserve our delicate environment and scarce natural resources.

“It all starts with the water, mountain biodiversity and with the life of our poor soils, while we also need to take bold decisions to limit our carbon emissions.

“This amazing recognition is an invitation for our team to go even faster, even further, even bigger.”

GREEN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Cliff Roberson, Roberson Wines

This year’s recipient, described as “a green warrior” by our judges, is celebrating an impressive 50 years of being his own boss in the wine trade, and is well known by those in the UK drinks wholesale and retail sector and more recently, the production side too. Reducing the environmental impact of his company has always been hugely important for him, be it local sourcing for his urban winery, biogas for energy, or using 100% compostable, biodegradable and recyclable packaging that is manufactured in the UK. Notably, when Roberson’s son died in 2017, he decided to turn his love for nature and his boy into something tangible, planting more than 4,000 trees in Kent to create Luke’s Wood. Not only would this form a lasting memory for his son, but it would also provide a carbon sink, while capturing water and enhancing biodiversity. Ever humble, Roberson says of his award: “Trees provide oxygen, reduce greenhouse gas, create habitat for wildlife and provide beautiful spaces for future generations. Anyone can plant a tree. Thank you for recognising their value with this award.”